Former Asteres CEO joins H. D. Smith

By Michael Johnsen

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — H. D. Smith, the fourth-largest national pharmaceutical wholesaler, on Tuesday named Mark de Bruin to the post of corporate VP managed care.

In his new position at H. D. Smith, 29-year industry veteran de Bruin will be responsible for the company's third party network, creating and maintaining an alliance of prescription and healthcare service providers.

"Our third party network is one of the many solutions H. D. Smith developed to address efficiency and reimbursement demands facing community pharmacies," Chris Smith, H. D. Smith COO Chris Smith said. "Mark's retail pharmacy experience, cultivated at Rite Aid, together with his significant managed care and pharmacy government affairs acumen will spark growth and development of the network to the benefit of our customers."

De Bruin most recently served as CEO at Asteres, providing patented automated technology solutions to retail pharmacies, grocery stores, hospitals and the military. De Bruin served at Rite Aid as EVP pharmacy; Albertsons/American Stores as VP pharmacy and managed care; and RxAmerica/American Stores as president and GM.

De Bruin is a registered pharmacist in Utah, Pennsylvania and California. He earned a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from the University of Utah. De Bruin also has served on numerous industry boards, including the Federal Medicaid Commission.